Policy@Manchester Articles

Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues

Policy@Manchester Articles: Science and Technology
You are here: Home / Archives for Science and Technology

Freedom energy: minimising geopolitical risks to reach net zero

Prof Matthew Paterson By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Environment, Renewables, Science and Technology Posted:

Geopolitical dynamics are crucial to our thinking about the future of energy and the pursuit of net zero. In this article from our publication On Resilience, Professor Matthew Paterson explores the complexity of alternatives to fossil fuels, the impact of renewables on our energy security, and how policymakers can reduce exposure to the geopolitical risks of the […]

Article image fertility law reform

Reforming UK fertility legislation: the effects of online DNA testing

Caroline Redhead headshotLucy Frith headshot By and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Science and Technology Posted:

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) from companies such as Ancestry and 23andMe has significantly impacted the dialogue around gamete (sperm and egg) donor conception. In the UK where the anonymity of donors is theoretically protected until a donor-conceived person turns 18, the growing use of DTCGT has prompted the regulator of reproductive technologies, the Human Fertilisation […]

AUTOMATED VEHICLES ARTICLE IMAGE

Artificial Intelligence and future transport and mobility: What do cities want and how can urban planning respond?

By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Energy and Environment, Environment, Inclusive Growth, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:

Experts agree that automated driving technologies constitute perhaps the most significant transformation in urban and transport planning since the invention of the private motor vehicle. In this article, Dr Ransford A. Acheampong assesses how policy-makers have an urgent responsibility to create alternative urban futures in which we are able to meet our everyday mobility needs […]

Medics analysing MRI scan - feature image for dementia article

Capacity for change: improving the governance of dementia research

James Fletcher headshot By Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, primary care services, Research and development, Science and Technology Posted:

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) outlines legal decision-making procedures in England and Wales for people above the age of 16 who have an impairment of, or disturbance in, the functioning of the mind or brain. It specifies that research involving these people must be approved by a research ethics committee (REC) sanctioned by the […]

Image: salt mine. Salt mines can be used for underground hydrogen storage.

Underground hydrogen storage, the key to a green and sustainable future

By and Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

In response to the climate crisis, renewable energy production has increased significantly over the last decade. According to National Grid, the UK produced its trillionth kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity generated from renewable sources on 15 May 2023, and  solar energy and offshore wind are predicted to grow five-fold by 2030. Hydrogen, a potentially green […]

using data for traffic planning

Data and Decision Making: how AI and data tools can help influence evidence-based policy change.

David Topping By Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Environment, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:

It is crucial that policymakers have access to the increasing collection of datasets across our natural environment and other sectors such as health and economics. Currently, much of this data is spread across a variety of platforms which work in silo, making it difficult for users to analyse, assess and ultimately deliver improved policy outcomes. […]

A corn crop on dry land

Delivering on climate commitments: restricting global warming to 1.5C

Angela Mae Minas Headshot By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Environment, Science and Technology Posted:

In 2015, world leaders committed to holding global warming to well below 2C whilst pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5C as part of The Paris Agreement at COP21. It is now expected that the world is likely to hit this level of warming within the next five years. In this article, Dr Angela Minas […]

Not immaterial: Why the UK must play to its strengths in quantum technology

By Filed Under: British Politics, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The UK Science and Technology Framework has recently been announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with Quantum Technologies (QTs) identified as one of five critical technologies. But what is needed to realise this vision – and should the UK invest everywhere, or target its areas of expertise? Here, Professor Richard Curry outlines how the country […]

Sellafield nuclear plant

How can “Great British Nuclear” make a great difference?

Adrian Bull with beard By Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The announcement of Great British Nuclear (GBN) is a long awaited positive step. GBN clearly now faces a monumental workload and a range of challenges as it sets the ground for new nuclear build in the UK. In this article, Professor Adrian Bull emphasises the need to engage with development companies rather than just ‘starting […]

Family sorting recycling

Trashing the future: failures of UK plastic recycling policies and next steps

By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Science and Technology Posted:

We are all familiar with the problem of plastic waste – which has a devastating effect on marine life and oceans.  Plastic recycling seems complex and difficult and we are right to be concerned about the impacts waste plastic is having on our ecosystems. The One Bin to Rule Them All (One Bin) project team […]

Become a contributor

Would you like to write for us on a public policy issue? Get in touch with a member of the team, ask for our editorial guidelines, or access our online training toolkit (UoM login required).

Disclaimer

Articles give the views of the author, and are not necessarily those of The University of Manchester.

Policy@Manchester

Manchester Policy Articles is an initiative from Policy@Manchester. Visit our web site to find out more

Contact Us

policy@manchester.ac.uk
t: +44 (0) 161 275 3038
The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK